Home is Where It’s At

Today is day 4 of waking up early. Yesterday, I struggled throughout the day to keep my eyes open. This morning was difficult to get up and I did get up at 5:30 instead of 5:15, but I feel better today. Yay!!

I have been thinking a lot about what I want to write on our blog. Do I write about my journey waking up earlier and being more focused on my routine for the day? Do I talk about my Gluten free and Dairy free journey, the food I eat, and my recipes I have tried? Do I write about organization tips and ideas? Do I talk about preparing for your child to graduate and go to college? What about planning with my bullet journal? I really cannot put my mind on one item to write about. You see, I have many areas in my life I am trying to work on and improve. I have the desire to be home more and be a homemaker I once was while following God’s path for my life.

My biggest struggle since I have started to work outside of the home more, is I want to have my house be the home it was when I stayed at home. I have always been a busy person. I like to do things and be around people. (I am not an extrovert, but an introvert/extrovert. I am one of those type of people that loves to be around people, but usually doesn’t have much to say. I love being around the people and yet struggle with having words to say or participate in the conversation without feeling like there is a spotlight on me when I speak.) So, I keep busy being a youth leader for our church’s youth group, sing on the worship team at church, serve as a band booster officer, stage manager for the high school’s musical productions, be the best cheer mom I can be, and so on. Lots of busyness, but so worth my time and efforts!!

Anyway, I really do miss my clean and organized home. We are a busy family. I have two teenage kids who like to do many different things. I choose to be involved in those activities when I can. I figure, I only have them at home for so long and then I can have time to do what I might want to do. However, right now, they are my focus and it really does fill my heart to be part of their lives and activities. I am fortunate to participate in their lives and am thankful every day my kids enjoy mom being around! I am not a smother-er at all, I just try to volunteer or participate in a healthy way to be involved.

With all of that said, I am not home as much as I used to be. I used to have a friend that said “your house is so clean I could eat off your toilet”….ew!! Today, I have clutter and dust bunnies and floors not vacuumed not nearly enough. I have read many times about how I shouldn’t worry about my house because I am making lasting memories with my kids and blah, blah, blah. However, I don’t like the unkempt home. I am not saying we are slobs by any means, but I want more for the home we are blessed with! I keep my kitchen pretty clean and vacuum and dust here and there, but I want my home to be welcoming and ready for whomever may stop by.

So, with my journey to do things differently, I am hoping my rising early will make a difference in not just my personal and spiritual life, but in the changes to make my home where I desire it to be. Starting my day off early and focusing on God and his amazing love and power will fuel my day onward.

Today I am able to be home for the entire day, unless we make some plans for later this evening, and I am super excited! I plan to finish up the cabinet painting and get our kitchen back in order, clean my house and work through some clutter. I am sure I have way too many goals for today, but that is okay! I will continue to work at it and know I will get my home where it needs to be.

Matt and I started this blog to talk about our journey to a self-sufficient life and I see this post fitting in because a self-sufficient life aligns with my desire to create a home I so desire. I need to learn to take hold of what I have today and prepare for whatever home we may have in the future. I get excited to think about a home with a farm, some chickens and a barn! I love barns, I could drive around all day and take pictures of them. LOL

Well, I better get moving and start tackling my list. Since cleaning the house is on my To Do List for today, I have included a Basic House Cleaning Checklist you can print off. I hope it will be helpful to you.